There are millions of drivers on the roads in America on any given day, including several thousand here. These are drivers young and old, of varying levels of experience behind the wheel. Common sense would likely tell our readers that more experience driving makes a person a better driver. But, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) keeps track of some statistics about older drivers that may come as a surprise to many people.
For starters, for one year alone — 2016 — the statistics show that in that year approximately 18 percent of all traffic fatalities were individuals who were over the age of 65. Considering that there are over 49 million people in America who are over the age of 65, it would seem that percentage may be in line with older individuals’ portion of the overall population. However, the NHTSA statistics also point out that over about a 10-year period of time from 2007 to 2016, the segment of the population that is classified as over the age of 65 actually increased by 30 percent.
With more older drivers in America, it would certainly seem like this segment of the population is putting their experience to good use behind the wheel. But, unfortunately, all the experience in the world might not save an older driver from the danger of other drivers on the road who may not have the same amount of experience or, even worse, who may be distracted or impaired while driving.
Older drivers in Louisiana need to practice “defensive driving,” now more than ever before. But, any driver who has been injured in a car accident may have the right to pursue financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
